This Changes Everything

Easter Sunday 2019

This Changes Everything

April 21, 2019

Mark 16:1-7 NIV

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'"

Notice again, verse 7

“But go, tell his disciples, and Peter …

Peter was one of the disciples. Why was he singled out?

• Peter was feeling terrible about himself.

• He was completely broken, ashamed, and humiliated by his rejection of Jesus.

• Peter was in the perfect spot to receive Jesus – empty, broken, and needing someone to help him.

Peter started out with so much promise!!

He was at the Mount of Transfiguration and saw Moses and Elijah!

He walked on water!!

Matthew 16:18 NIV

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Peter probably had two thoughts:

“That was a good choice, Jesus. I’m obviously the best among this group.”

“Are you kidding? Do you know how broken I am?”

Insecurity was a constant struggle for Peter.

Peter’s darkest hour started in the Garden of Gethsemane – as Jesus was praying in the garden.

He cuts off the ear of a young man named Malchus.

Once he realized Jesus was going to die, and he might possibly be captured, he denied even knowing Jesus three times.

• It would be one of Peter’s deep regrets.

Matthew 10:32-33 NIV

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

“Disown” is the Greek word arneomai… it’s the SAME word that’s to describe Peter’s “denial” of Jesus… in context it means to disclaim association with a person… Peter had literally done the worst thing imaginable.

John 21:15-18 NIV

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.”

Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus asks him three times if he loved him.

There’s not one failure Jesus has not forgiven.

The Table:

1 Peter 1:3-4 MISG

“What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, 4 including a future in heaven — and the future starts now!

Jesus is alive and this changes everything!